Ansley Kang ’29
Staff Writer
As the new school year began, Scripps welcomed the Class of 2029 to start their college journey. For many first-year students, the transition from high school to college can be a challenge, with so many clubs at the 5Cs, and navigating college courses. Despite these intimidating learning curves, Annabelle Wonder ’29 and Akemi Tsuchitani ’29 took on those challenges, while also starting a new small business with its own responsibilities and difficulties.
Athena Nails was created and is run by Wonder and Tsuchitani as a business to continue their hobby of Gel X nails and nail art into college. Tsuchitani tackles the Gel X shaping and application, while Wonder focuses on the nail art and design.
“I’ve always been a little more design-inclined [while doing nails] and I was really scared of doing Gel X. But then I found Akemi, and found a way around that,” Wonder explained.
Tsuchitani had started doing Gel X nails her sophomore year of high school because she has “always liked having nails, and so when I got into Gel X, I think it gave me more of an opportunity to be more intricate as a way of expressing myself just like Annabelle with her designs. The practice has definitely made me a lot better,” she said.
After the two of them proposed the business idea, they created the Instagram account @athena.nails5c and discussed pricing for Gel X nails and design. The current base price is $40 for a set and design prices are available on their Instagram page or through Instagram direct message.
“It was all pretty easy and I think we were pretty agreeable with each other,” Wonder said. “We hadn’t had any issues with that so far.”
The entire process from start to finish takes around two hours for the duo, but could be longer depending on the prep required and the intricacy of the design. Tsuchitani takes care of the application and shaping of the Gel X nail, which includes removing old polish if the client had their nails previously done, as well as cuticle care. “Nails will usually last longer if you take better care of [the cuticle],” she noted.
Then Wonder takes over to do the design requested by the client on the nails. “There’s not a part of it that I dread,” Wonder said. “It’s a fun challenge every time someone brings in a design.”
Another challenge that first-year students have faced is meeting new people and socializing in a brand-new community. For Wonder and Tsuchitani, Athena Nails became a way to easily meet people from across the 5Cs.
“I think doing nails is a really good jumping off point in making friends because you obviously have someone in your chair who wants good-looking nails, and you want their nails to look good as well,” Wonder said. “From that, you can grow conversation and talk a lot about different experiences you have and what you enjoy.”
Tsuchitani shared a similar sentiment, explaining that she came from “a pretty big school, so the transition has kind of been a little bit more difficult for me personally. But I think being able to have something like [Athena Nails] where I can kick back and get to know people … is a fun way and easy way to talk to people who I wouldn’t usually run into.”
Both Tsuchiani and Wonder reflected on how gaining confidence while making friends takes time and requires meeting many new people.
“Everyone goes to college, and it’s a little bit new and a little bit strange … but I feel like meeting people through [Athena Nails] has definitely helped me with my confidence in socializing,” she said.
The duo’s first client was a junior at Pitzer College, which to Tsuchitani was “kind of crazy.” She said, “I was just assuming it was going to start off with friends who heard about it through word of mouth, but it was kind of cool to be able to meet some upperclassmen and now people from other schools as well.”
While Athena Nails is still new, the duo hopes that in the future they will be able to make more connections through the business.
“I’m really excited to meet more people through [Athena Nails],” Wonder said.
Students interested in booking with Athena Nails can visit their Instagram @athena.nails5c for pricing and scheduling.
Photo Courtesy of Athena Nails
